Since last year’s Pride in London celebrations were the first since 2019, it was a huge star-studded affair. The likes of Ava Max, Emeli Sandé, Eurovision 2018 winner Netta, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney, and many others were among the attendees and performers. But that doesn’t mean this year’s Pride will be any less joyful, enthusiastic, or exciting. And with the reveal of this year’s Pride in London theme, there’s also clearly going to be a renewed emphasis on inclusivity. The year’s lineup of performers has also been revealed, and we’re in for a treat!
This year’s Pride in London theme
In a move designed to show support and solidarity with members of the trans and non-binary community, this year’s Pride in London theme is ‘Never March Alone: Championing Trans Allyship’. The theme, and accompanying campaign, come in the wake of considerable hostility and adversity from the media and in the form of political developments and blocks.
By celebrating the trans and non-binary communities, Pride in London seeks to demonstrate that “this is not a problematic, marginalised minority, but a joyful community of brilliant, multi-faceted individuals who have the full support of Pride in London and its 1.5 million attendees”. The campaign has been developed through collaboration and communication with several trans advocates – among them Mz Kimberly, Hannah and Jake Graf, and Dani St. James.
Throughout the month, as part of the campaign, Pride in London will share “a beautiful series of photographic and video portraits of members of the trans and non-binary community and those who stand with them”.
Said Hannah Graf MBE: “Jake and I were delighted to be able to help Pride in London shape its 2023 campaign and it was of course of paramount importance to us that all facets of our community felt included. With the recent influx of transphobic headlines and commentators, the trans and non-binary community needs support more than ever. Never March Alone is a powerful message that centres trans people, while also celebrating the rest of the community and their vital support and allyship.”
What’s the lineup?
Pride in London sure aren’t resting on their laurels following last-years celebrations, with a star-studded roster of acts set to take to the stages around London for Pride in 2023. Headlining the whole affair is the American-Idol-winning-Queen-fronting superstar, Adam Lambert, alongside the Broadway-dominating Idina Menzel, and the all-dancing-all-singing YouTube icon Todrick Hall.
Other notable names on the lineup include performances from the cast of Six The Musical, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, drag king extraordinaire Beau Jangles, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK legend Victoria Scone, and many, many more. There are so many acts to get excited about, that we’re squinting trying to read all the names on the poster – which isn’t even an exhaustive list! They’ll perform across a number of stages around London, so you’ll need to run your way around town to catch all your favourite acts.
When is the Pride parade?
The Pride parade will take place on July 1, as Pride Month comes to an end.
The parade will kick off in Hyde Park to commemorate the starting point of the first post-march picnic in 1972. From there it will head to Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket and Trafalgar Square and end in Whitehall Place.
Along the route, there will be several stages where performances will take place throughout the day. These will be found at Golden Square, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square (a stage for artists identifying as LGBTQI+ women and non-binary), and Dean Street (Cabaret Stage), as well as a new dedicated stage in Soho Square for artists from the trans community. There will also be a dedicated LGBT+ family area at St Giles-in-the-Field, with family-friendly performances and activities.
If you’d like to help out with the parade, you can register your interest to be a volunteer. If you’d like to support Pride in London with their work, you can donate to The Unity Fund, which supports “grassroots charities and organisations that seek to improve the lives of LGBT+ people across the capital”.